A review by mad_about_books
Halloween Carnival Volume 3 by Michael McBride, Brian James Freeman, Kate Maruyama, Kelley Armstrong, Taylor Grant, Greg Chapman
5.0
It is really hard to review short stories, or even novellas, since even reference to the point of the tale can be a huge spoiler. I hate spoilers and pretty much refuse to put them into my reviews. I try to convey something of why I did, or did not like a particular story, with at least a clever one line tease.
I am always ready and willing to review anthologies edited by Brian James Freeman because his choices always hit the right nerve for anyone who reads genre (make that horror) fiction.
You may, or may not recognize the names of all the authors contained herein, but, once you read them in the short form, you will want to seek out more of their works both long and short.
THE WAY LOST by Kelley Armstrong
You've heard that perception is everything? Here is a tale of losing one's way in more ways than one. (5-stars)
LA CALAVERA by Kate Maruyama
More than friendship drives this tale. Subtle changes in language, like verb tense and personal pronouns, lead you to the inevitable conclusion. Nothing like a good cemetery crawl on Los Dias de Los Muertos. (5-stars)
THE DEVIL’S DUE by Michael McBride
How far would you go to give the Devil his due? The story had a vague familiarity as I started to read it; however, that did not diminish the horror that played out on Devil's Night. (5-stars)
A THOUSAND ROOMS OF DARKNESS by Taylor Grant
Living with phobias is like always waiting for the other shoe to drop. In the end, light is just the other side of darkness, and when that shoe drops, it's with a huge thud. (5 stars)
THE LAST NIGHT OF OCTOBER by Greg Chapman
I read this both expecting and dreading the outcome. How many ways are there to terrify a reader? How many ways can tropes be employed? After finishing, my answer to both questions is an infinite number. Greg Chapman has definitely put a new spin on some old concepts here. (5 stars)
Hands down, HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL Volume 3 is a 5-star read!
I am always ready and willing to review anthologies edited by Brian James Freeman because his choices always hit the right nerve for anyone who reads genre (make that horror) fiction.
You may, or may not recognize the names of all the authors contained herein, but, once you read them in the short form, you will want to seek out more of their works both long and short.
THE WAY LOST by Kelley Armstrong
You've heard that perception is everything? Here is a tale of losing one's way in more ways than one. (5-stars)
LA CALAVERA by Kate Maruyama
More than friendship drives this tale. Subtle changes in language, like verb tense and personal pronouns, lead you to the inevitable conclusion. Nothing like a good cemetery crawl on Los Dias de Los Muertos. (5-stars)
THE DEVIL’S DUE by Michael McBride
How far would you go to give the Devil his due? The story had a vague familiarity as I started to read it; however, that did not diminish the horror that played out on Devil's Night. (5-stars)
A THOUSAND ROOMS OF DARKNESS by Taylor Grant
Living with phobias is like always waiting for the other shoe to drop. In the end, light is just the other side of darkness, and when that shoe drops, it's with a huge thud. (5 stars)
THE LAST NIGHT OF OCTOBER by Greg Chapman
I read this both expecting and dreading the outcome. How many ways are there to terrify a reader? How many ways can tropes be employed? After finishing, my answer to both questions is an infinite number. Greg Chapman has definitely put a new spin on some old concepts here. (5 stars)
Hands down, HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL Volume 3 is a 5-star read!